So we've just released a ton of awesome little bundles for our Ardweenys, and you're thinking "Wow, what would I do with all those?". Well friend, why not build a Strandbeest with an Ardweeny for a brain?
For those few who aren't familiar with a Strandbeest (or don't know it by name), they are the work of Dutch kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen, and they're incredibly mesmerizing to watch in action:
Theo's creations are powered entirely by the wind, and he's working in some very BEAM-like behaviors in the hopes that his creations could one day wander the Dutch beaches on their own.
However, I'd prefer a bit more more control, and Gareth Branwyn over at Make Magazine has just posted up his plans to build a desktop sized one out of some laser cut wood and our awesome little Ardweeny and Breadboard Voltage Regulator Kit as a gift for a friend. You could very easily do the same with our newly release Ardweeny Project Pack, which includes a nifty little backpack with the voltage regulator built in, and even comes with the FTDI programming adapter, everything you need to get started. You can find detailed plans and instructions over on Jeremy Peterson aka 4volt's project page in case you'd like to take a shot at making your own. In fact, there's a tiny evil voice in my head telling me to build many of these and hide them under coworkers desks and the Christmas tree at home, preferably with some kind of glowing red eyes...
This mini-sumo design by Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin features our wheels, and one of our favourite building materials, Sintra. We can't laser-cut sintra (PVC=bad stuff when burned), but milling it works well, as this builder shows. The asymmetric motor layout works, as proven by this contest-winning design (scroll to the bottom of the page).
Winter is not quite here yet. But close. It’s the second day of the last day of summer in 2013 today, according to the calendar at least. So lets prepare to that early by making sure all the new products are looked at. Now, how that makes sense? I am not sure. This was just […]
The Western Canadian Robot Games are close at hand (umm... this weekend!), and in response to popular request, we're cranking up the SolarSpeeder contest again! Ever built a Solarbotics SolarSpeeder? Bring it down to the games, enter at our booth (free!), and we'll run a SolarSpeeder target race. Aim your racer at a 10cm (4") […]
We've managed to dig up enough parts to get six ScoutWalker III's together in time for Christmas. We'll have them ready by the end of the week for shipping, so if you don't mind waiting for your order to go until then, feel free to pre-order now!
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Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.